Process for dispersing vaporous hydrogen peroxide

ABSTRACT

The disclosed invention relates to a decontaminant dispenser which may be used as a projectile. The invention also relates to a decontamination process using the decontaminant dispenser. The decontaminant dispenser may be thrown by hand, launched as an artillery shell or the payload for a missile, or dropped by an airplane into the area to be decontaminated. The dispenser may be placed in the area to be decontaminated. The decontaminant dispenser may be ruggedized for use in hostile environments such as those that may be anticipated for military applications.

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/033,905 filed on Feb. 20, 2008, which claims the benefit under 35U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/893,134 filed onMar. 6, 2007 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/962,876 filed onAug. 1, 2007. These applications are incorporated herein by reference intheir entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a decontaminant dispenser which is suitablefor use as a projectile.

BACKGROUND

Decontaminant generating systems, such as those used to generatevaporous hydrogen peroxide (VHP), have been used to decontaminate largeenclosures such as rooms and buildings (e.g., hotel rooms, hospitalwards, scientific laboratories, etc.) from contaminants such asbacteria, molds, fungi, yeasts, and the like.

SUMMARY

It would be advantageous for the military to use these decontaminantsystems in the field for defense against chemical and biologicalweapons. However, there are situations in the field where, due to theterrain or remoteness of the location, it is not possible to transportthese systems to the field location. This invention provides a solutionto this problem. The inventive decontaminant dispenser is suitable foruse as a projectile and, as such, may be thrown by a person, launched asa projectile (e.g., artillery shell or the payload for a missile), ordropped by an airplane to deliver the dispenser to a location where itis desired to dispense a decontaminant and thereby conduct adecontamination. The inventive decontaminant dispenser may be carried byhand and placed in an area to be decontaminated. The inventivedecontaminant dispenser may be used to decontaminate contaminatedobjects on the ground or to neutralize a contaminated air space such asa toxic cloud resulting from the detonation of a chemical and/orbiological warfare agent device. The decontaminant dispenser may be usedin a large enclosure such as the room of a building by throwing,launching or dropping the dispenser into the enclosure, or by placingthe dispenser in the enclosure. The inventive decontaminant dispenseremploys VHP, or VHP in combination with ammonia as the decontaminant.The dispenser employs catalytic discharge to vaporize and discharge thedecontaminant.

This invention relates to a decontaminant dispenser suitable for use asa projectile, comprising: a container suitable for containing propellantgrade liquid hydrogen peroxide, the container comprising a containerwall with at least one opening in the container wall and a pressurerelease membrane positioned in the opening, the pressure releasemembrane being adapted to rupture when pressure within the containerexceeds a predetermined value; and at least one catalytic probe adaptedto be inserted into the container in contact with the liquid hydrogenperoxide, the catalytic probe being undersized so that when insertedinto the container in contact with the hydrogen peroxide part of thehydrogen peroxide in the container reacts in an exothermic reaction toform a product composition, the product composition comprising water,oxygen, and unreacted hydrogen peroxide, the reaction being sufficientto generate an expansion of the product composition, the expansion beingsufficient to rupture the pressure release membrane and drive theunreacted hydrogen peroxide through the at least one opening.

This invention relates to a process for dispensing vaporous hydrogenperoxide using the foregoing dispenser, the process comprising: fillingthe container with propellant grade hydrogen peroxide; and inserting thecatalytic probe into the container in contact with the hydrogen peroxideto initiate an exothermic reaction resulting in the formation of aproduct composition comprising water, oxygen and unreacted hydrogenperoxide, the reaction expanding the product composition sufficiently torupture the pressure release membrane and drive unreacted hydrogenperoxide through the opening in the container wall.

With the foregoing dispenser, the container may comprise an innerchamber and an outer chamber, the inner chamber being positioned withinthe outer chamber; the inner chamber being suitable for containingpropellant grade liquid hydrogen peroxide, the inner chamber comprisingan inner chamber wall with at least one inner opening in the innerchamber wall and an inner pressure release membrane positioned in theinner opening, the inner pressure release membrane being adapted torupture when the pressure within the inner chamber exceeds apredetermined value; the outer chamber being suitable for containinggaseous ammonia, the outer chamber comprising an outer chamber wall withat least one outer opening in the outer chamber wall and an outerpressure release membrane positioned in the outer opening, the outerpressure release membrane being adapted to rupture when the pressurewithin the outer chamber exceeds a predetermined value; the catalyticprobe being adapted to be inserted through the outer chamber into theinner chamber in contact with the liquid hydrogen peroxide.

This invention also relates to a process for dispensing vaporoushydrogen peroxide and gaseous ammonia using the foregoing dispenser, theprocess comprising: filling the inner chamber with propellant gradehydrogen peroxide; filling the outer chamber with gaseous ammonia; andinserting the catalytic probe through the outer chamber into the innerchamber in contact with the hydrogen peroxide to initiate an exothermicreaction resulting in the formation of a product composition comprisingwater, oxygen and unreacted hydrogen peroxide, the reaction expandingthe product composition sufficiently to rupture the inner pressurerelease member and the outer pressure release member and drive unreactedhydrogen peroxide through the inner opening in the inner chamber walland through the outer opening in the outer chamber wall and drive thegaseous ammonia through the outer opening in the outer chamber wall.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the annexed drawings all parts and features have like references. Anumber of the annexed drawings are schematic illustrations which are notnecessarily proportioned accurately or drawn to scale.

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of one embodiment of the inventivedecontaminant dispenser.

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a modified embodiment of theinventive decontaminant dispenser.

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of the decontaminant dispenser ofFIG. 1 or FIG. 2 dispensing decontaminant.

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration showing the launch of thedecontaminant dispenser of FIG. 1 or FIG. 2 as a projectile into a toxiccloud.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

All ranges and ratio limits disclosed in the specification and claimsmay be combined in any manner. It is to be understood that unlessspecifically stated otherwise, references to “a”, “an”, and/or “the” mayinclude one or more than one, and that reference to an item in thesingular may also include the item in the plural. All combinationsspecified in the claims may be combined in any manner.

The term “projectile” is used herein to refer to an object which may bethrown by a person, launched as a projectile (e.g., an artillery shellor the payload for a missile), or dropped by an airplane.

The term “ruggedized,” and like terms such as “ruggedization,” are usedherein to refer to apparatus that is: (1) hardened to ensure that fiveexposures to chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear (CBRN)contaminants, decontaminants and decontaminating procedures over athirty-day period do not cause the apparatus to require correctivemaintenance during that thirty-day period; (2) capable of being used attemperatures ranging from about −32° C. to about 49° C.; (3) capable ofbeing used in relative humidities ranging from about 5% to about 100%;and/or (4) capable of operating when exposed to conventional hazards ofsolar radiation, rain, fungus, salt fog, sand, dust, vibration and/orshock in accordance with Military Standard 810 (MIL-STD-810).

The inventive decontaminant dispenser, in its illustrated embodiments,will be described initially with reference to FIG. 1. Referring to FIG.1, the decontaminant dispenser 100 is suitable for dispensing ordispersing VHP as the decontaminant. The decontaminant dispenser 100 maycomprise container 110 which is suitable for containing propellant gradeliquid hydrogen peroxide. The container 110 comprises container wall 120which has at least one opening 130, and in one embodiment a plurality ofopenings 130, in the container wall 120. A pressure release membrane 140is positioned in the one or more openings 130. The pressure releasemembrane 140 is adapted to rupture when pressure within the container110 exceeds a predetermined value. One or more catalytic probes 150 areadapted to be inserted into the container 110 in contact with the liquidhydrogen peroxide in the container. The catalytic probes 150 may beundersized so that when inserted into the container 110 in contact withthe hydrogen peroxide, part but not all of the hydrogen peroxide in thecontainer reacts in an exothermic reaction to form a productcomposition, the product composition comprising water, oxygen, andunreacted hydrogen peroxide. The reaction may be sufficient to generatean expansion of the product composition sufficient to rupture thepressure release membrane 130 and drive the unreacted hydrogen peroxidethrough the one or more openings 130. This may result in the spraying ofentrained unreacted hydrogen peroxide from the dispenser 100 asillustrated in FIG. 3. Referring to FIG. 3, one or more streams 180 ofhydrogen peroxide may be discharged by the dispenser 100.

When it is desired to use ammonia in combination with VHP as thedecontaminant, the dispenser 100 may be modified as illustrated in FIG.2. Referring to FIG. 2, the modified dispenser, which is identified inFIG. 2 as decontaminant dispenser 100A, comprises inner chamber 160 andan outer chamber 170. The inner chamber 160 is positioned within theouter chamber 170. The inner chamber 160 is suitable for containingpropellant grade liquid hydrogen peroxide. The inner chamber 160comprises inner chamber wall 162 which has at least one inner opening164 in the inner chamber wall 162. In one embodiment, a plurality of theinner openings 164 are in the inner chamber wall 162. An inner pressurerelease membrane 166 is positioned in the one or more inner openings164. The inner pressure release membrane 166 is adapted to rupture whenthe pressure within the inner chamber 160 exceeds a predetermined value.The outer chamber 170 is suitable for containing gaseous ammonia. Theouter chamber 170 comprises outer chamber wall 172 which includes atleast one outer opening 174, and in one embodiment a plurality of outeropenings 174. An outer pressure release membrane 176 is positioned inthe one or more outer openings 174. The outer pressure release membrane176 is adapted to rupture when the pressure within the outer chamber 170exceeds a predetermined value. One or more catalytic probes 150 areadapted to be inserted through the outer chamber 170 into the innerchamber 160 in contact with the liquid hydrogen peroxide. The catalyticprobes 150 may be undersized so that when inserted through the outerchamber 170 into the inner chamber 160 in contact with the hydrogenperoxide, part but not all of the hydrogen peroxide in the chamber 160reacts in an exothermic reaction to form a product composition, theproduct composition comprising water, oxygen, and unreacted hydrogenperoxide. The reaction may be sufficient to generate an expansion of theproduct composition sufficient to rupture the pressure release membranes166 and 176 and drive the unreacted hydrogen peroxide through the one ormore inner openings 164 and outer openings 174. The ammonia gas in theouter chamber 170 may be drawn through the outer chamber openings withthe unreacted hydrogen peroxide. This may result in the spraying ofentrained unreacted hydrogen peroxide and ammonia gas from the dispenser100A as illustrated in FIG. 3. Referring to FIG. 3, one or more streams180 of hydrogen peroxide and ammonia gas may be discharged by thedispenser 100A.

The decontaminant dispensers 100 and 100A may have any desired shape toprovide the desired suitability as a projectile. The dispensers 100 and100A may have a cylindrical shape or a spherical shape. These dispensersmay be in the form of an artillery shell or a hand grenade. Thedecontaminant dispenser 100 or 100A may be thrown by a person, launchedas a projectile (e.g., artillery shell or the payload for a missile), ordropped by an airplane to deliver the dispenser to a location where itis desired to dispense a decontaminant and thereby conduct adecontamination. The inventive decontaminant dispenser may be carried byhand and placed in an area to be decontaminated. The inventivedecontaminant dispenser may be used to decontaminate contaminatedobjects on the ground. The decontaminant dispenser 100 or 100A may bethrown, launched or dropped into a contaminated air space such as atoxic cloud resulting from the detonation of a chemical and/orbiological warfare agent device. The decontaminant may used toneutralize the toxic cloud or destroy the contaminants in the toxiccloud. This is illustrated in FIG. 4 where the decontaminant dispenser100 or 100A is launched along projectile path 200 into toxic cloud 200.The decontaminant dispenser may be used in a large enclosure such as theroom of a building by throwing, launching or dropping the dispenser intothe enclosure, or by placing the dispenser in the enclosure.

The container wall 120, as well as the chamber walls 162 and 172, may bemade of any material that is sufficient to provide the desiredproperties of strength and lightweight, as well as resistance to harmfulmaterials and conditions likely to be encountered. The walls 120, 162and 172 may be ruggedized. The walls 120, 162 and 172 may be made of ametal alloy that does not react with hydrogen peroxide. The walls 120,162 and 172 may be made of stainless steel, coated steel, aluminum, analuminum alloy, anodized aluminum, and the like.

The container 110 and the inner chamber 160 may each have an internalvolume in the range from about 100 cubic centimeters to about 500liters, and in one embodiment from in the range from about 200 cubiccentimeters to about 200 liters. The outer chamber 170 may have aninternal volume (that is, the volume of the annular space between theouter chamber wall 172 and the inner chamber wall 162) in the range fromabout 200 cubic centimeters to about 1500 liters, and in one embodimentin the range from about 500 cubic centimeters to about 500 liters. Theratio of the internal volume of the outer chamber 170 to the internalvolume of the inner chamber 160 may be in the range from about 1:1 toabout 4:1, and in one embodiment in the range from about 2:1 to about3:1.

The weight of the decontaminant dispenser 100 when fully loaded withhydrogen peroxide, and the weight of the dispenser 100A when fullyloaded with hydrogen peroxide and ammonia, may be in the range fromabout 0.1 to about 500 Kg, and in one embodiment in the range from about0.5 to about 100 Kg.

The number of openings 130 in the container wall 120 and the number ofinner openings 164 in the inner chamber wall 162 may be in the rangefrom 1 to about 100, and in one embodiment in the range from about 1 toabout 20. The number of outer openings 174 in the outer chamber wall 172may be in the range from 1 to about 100, and in one embodiment in therange from about 1 to about 20. The average diameter of the openings130, 164 and 174 may be in the range from about 0.1 to about 10millimeters (mm), and in one embodiment in the range from about 0.1 toabout 2 mm.

The pressure release membranes 140, 166 and 176 may be made of anysuitable material that ruptures at the desired pressure. The pressurerelease membranes may be made of a material comprising aluminizedpolyolefin, polyester, polytetrafluoroethylene, spun polyethylene, andthe like. The pressure release membranes may be adapted to rupture whenthe pressure within the container 110 or the inner chamber 160 resultingfrom the exothermic reaction of the hydrogen peroxide and the resultingexpansion of the product composition exceeds a predetermined value. Thispredetermined value may be in the range from about 2 to about 35atmospheres, and in one embodiment from about 3 to about 15 atmospheres.When the pressure release membrane 140, or the pressure releasemembranes 166 and 176, rupture, the product composition formed by theexothermic reaction of the hydrogen peroxide may discharge from thecontainer 110 through the openings 130, or from the inner chamber 160through the openings 164 in the inner chamber wall 162 and through theopenings 174 in the outer chamber wall 172.

The propellant grade hydrogen peroxide used with the decontaminantdispenser 100 or 100A may have a relatively high concentration ofhydrogen peroxide. The hydrogen peroxide concentration may be about 70%by weight or higher, and in one embodiment in the range from about 70%to about 98% by weight, and in one embodiment from about 80% to about98%, and in one embodiment from about 85% to about 98% by weight, and inone embodiment from about 90% to about 98% by weight, and in oneembodiment from about 95% to about 98% by weight, and in one embodimentthe concentration may be about 98% by weight.

The one or more catalytic probes 150 may employ any catalyst suitablefor decomposing hydrogen peroxide. The catalytic probe 150 may comprisea deposit, plating or coating formed on a catalyst insert rod. Thecatalyst may comprise one or more suitable transition metals, transitionmetal oxides, or combination thereof. The catalyst may comprise Ag, Mn,Pd, Pt, Rh, an oxide of one or more of the foregoing metals, or amixture of two or more of the foregoing metals and/or oxides. Thecatalyst may be supported by a suitable support such as an aluminasupport. The catalyst may comprise a silver based alloy. The catalystmay comprise manganese dioxide. Any desired number of catalytic probes150 may be used with the dispenser 100 or 100A. For example, from 1 toabout 10 catalytic probes 150 may be used, and in one embodiment from 1to about 4 or about 5 catalytic probes 150 may be used. The catalyst maybe relatively undersized so as to not decompose all of the hydrogenperoxide in the container 110 or the inner chamber 160. The amount ofhydrogen peroxide reacting in the container 110 or the inner chamber 160to form water and oxygen may be from about 50 to about 75 percent byweight of the hydrogen peroxide in the container 110 or the innerchamber 160 prior to commencing the catalytic reaction, and in oneembodiment in the range from about 60 to about 70 percent by weight.

The temperature of the contents of the dispenser 100 or 100A prior torupture of the pressure release membrane 140, or 166 and 176, may be inthe range from about 120 to about 400° C., and in one embodiment in therange from about 200 to about 300° C. The pressure in the dispenser 100or 100A prior to the rupture of the pressure release membranes 140, or166 and 176, may build to a level in the range from about 2 to about 35atmospheres, and in one embodiment in the range from about 3 to about 15atmospheres. The time required for the reaction to generate sufficientpressure to rupture the pressure release membranes 140, or 166 and 176,may be in the range from about 2 to about 60 seconds, and in oneembodiment in the range from about 5 to about 30 seconds. The flow rateof the contents of the dispenser 100 or 100A through the openings 130 or174 may be in the range from about 0.01 to about 10 kilograms per second(Kg/s), and in one embodiment in the range from about 0.5 to about 5Kg/s.

The decontaminant dispensers 100 and 100A may be used in hostileenvironments such as those that may be anticipated for militaryapplications. The dispensers 100 and 100A may be ruggedized. Whenintended for use in such hostile environments, the decontaminantdispensers 100 and 100A may be constructed using any material that issufficient to provide the required properties of strength andlightweight, as well as ruggedization. Ruggedization may includeproviding resistance to hot and cold temperatures, solar radiation,rain, fungus, salt fog, sand and/or dust, resistance to vibration andshock, as well as resistance to CBRN contaminants. This may involveconstruction of the decontaminant dispensers 100 and 100A in compliancewith military standard MIL-STD-810.

The decontaminant produced by the decontaminant dispenser 100 comprisesVHP, and the decontaminant produced by the dispenser 100A comprises VHPand gaseous ammonia. The addition of ammonia may be used to control thepH of the decontaminant. When the decontaminant contacts contaminatedobjects to be decontaminated, the process may be regarded as a dryprocess characterized by the absence of condensate formation on thesurfaces of the contaminated objects being decontaminated.Alternatively, the process may be regarded as a wet processcharacterized by the formation of a condensate in the form of a liquidfilm on the surfaces of the contaminated objects. The liquid film mayhave a film layer thickness in the range up to about 20 microns, and inone embodiment up to about 10 microns, and in one embodiment up to about5 microns, and in one embodiment up to about 1 micron. The film layermay be referred to as a microcondensate layer of hydrogen peroxide.

VHP, when used in combination with ammonia gas, may be referred to asmodified VHP or mVHP. The volumetric ratio of VHP to ammonia gas may bein the range from about 1:1 to about 1:0.0001. VHP and mVHP may beeffective microbial and chemical decontaminants because they may providea broad spectrum of activity against a wide variety of pathogenicmicroorganisms and chemical pathogenic agents, such as hard to destroyspores of Bacillus stearothermophilus, Bacillus anthracis, smallpoxvirus, and the like. They may be also effective at or close to roomtemperature (e.g., about 15 to about 30° C.). VHP and mVHP may have goodmaterial compatibility, rendering them safe for use with a variety ofequipment and materials, including electronic equipment, and the like.VHP may degrade to water and oxygen over time.

The contaminated objects that may be decontaminated using the dispensers100 or 100A may be contaminated with any contaminant. The objects to bedecontaminated may include any object exposed to the contaminantincluding military weapons, clothing, body armor, as well as sensitiveequipment such as computers, test equipment, optical devices, electronicdevices, communications equipment, and the like. These may include radioheadsets and night vision goggles, as well as other small but high valuepieces of equipment. The contaminant may comprise one or more chemical,biological, radiological and/or nuclear (CBRN) warfare agents.

Different levels of decontamination may be accomplished. As used herein,the term “decontamination,” may encompass both microbial decontaminationas well as chemical decontamination--the destruction of chemical agents,or their conversion to harmless or odorless compounds. Decontaminationmay also encompass the neutralizing of unpleasant odors, such as odorsand dampness due to molds. “Microbial decontamination” may be usedherein to encompass the destruction of biological contaminants,specifically, living microorganisms, and also the destruction orinactivation of pathogenic forms of proteinaceous-infectious agents(prions). The term microbial decontamination may encompasssterilization, the highest level of biological contamination control,which connotes the destruction of all living microorganisms. The termmay also include disinfection, the destruction of harmfulmicroorganisms, and sanitizing, which connotes being free from germs.“Chemical decontamination” is intended to encompass the destruction ofpathogenic chemical agents or their conversion to less harmful orodiferous species.

Exemplary biological contaminants which may be destroyed using thedecontaminant dispenser 100 or 100A may include bacterial spores,vegetative bacteria, viruses, molds, and fungi. Some of these may becapable of killing or causing severe injury to mammals, particularlyhumans. Included among these are viruses, such as equineencephalomyelitis and smallpox, the coronavirus responsible for SevereAcute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS); bacteria, such as those which causeplague (Yersina pestis), anthrax (Bacillus anthracis), and tularemia(Francisella tularensis); and fungi, such as coccidioidomycosis; as wellas toxic products expressed by such microorganisms; for example, thebotulism toxin expressed by the common Clostridium botulinium bacterium.

Also included are the less harmful microorganisms, such as thoseresponsible for the common cold (rhinoviruses), influenza(orthomyxoviruses), skin abscesses, toxic shock syndrome (Staphylococcusaureus), bacterial pneumonia (Streptococcus pneumoniae), stomach upsets(Escherichia coli, Salmonella), and the like.

Exemplary pathogenic chemical agents may include substances which areoften referred to as chemical warfare agents, such as poison gases andliquids, particularly those which are volatile, such as nerve gases,blistering agents (also known as vesicants), and other extremely harmfulor toxic chemicals. As used herein, the term “chemical pathogenic agent”is intended to include only those agents which are effective inrelatively small dosages to substantially disable or kill mammals andwhich can be degraded or otherwise rendered harmless by a process whichincludes oxidation.

Exemplary chemical pathogenic agents may include choking agents, such asphosgene; blood agents, which act on the enzyme cytochrome oxidase, suchas cyanogen chloride and hydrogen cyanide; incapacitating agents, suchas 3-quinuclidinyl benzilate (“BZ”), which blocks the action ofacetylcholine; vesicants, such as di(2-chloroethyl) sulfide (mustard gasor “HD”) and dichloro(2-chlorovinyl)arsine (Lewisite); nerve agents,such as ethyl-N,N dimethyl phosphoramino cyanidate (Tabun or agent GA),o-ethyl-S-(2-diisopropyl aminoethyl) methyl phosphono-thiolate (agentVX), isopropyl methyl phosphonofluoridate (Sarin or Agent GB),methylphosphonofluoridic acid 1,2,2-trimethylpropyl ester (Soman orAgent GD).

While the disclosed invention has been explained in relation to variousdetailed embodiments, it is to be understood that various modificationsthereof may become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading thespecification. Therefore, it is to be understood that the inventionspecified herein is intended to include such modifications as may fallwithin the scope of the appended claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A process for dispersing vaporous hydrogenperoxide using a decontaminant dispenser suitable for use as aprojectile, wherein the dispenser comprises a container suitable forcontaining propellant grade liquid hydrogen peroxide, the containercomprising a container wall with at least one opening in the containerwall and a pressure release membrane positioned in the opening, thepressure release membrane being adapted to rupture when pressure withinthe container exceeds a predetermined value; and at least one catalyticprobe adapted to be inserted into the container in contact with theliquid hydrogen peroxide, the catalytic probe being undersized so thatwhen inserted into the container in contact with the hydrogen peroxidepart of the hydrogen peroxide in the container reacts in an exothermicreaction to form a product composition, the product compositioncomprising water, oxygen, and unreacted hydrogen peroxide, the reactionbeing sufficient to generate an expansion of the product composition,the expansion being sufficient to rupture the pressure release membraneand drive the unreacted hydrogen peroxide through the at least oneopening, the process comprising: filling the container with propellantgrade hydrogen peroxide; and inserting the catalytic probe into thecontainer in contact with the hydrogen peroxide to initiate anexothermic reaction resulting in the formation of a product compositioncomprising water, oxygen and unreacted hydrogen peroxide, the reactionexpanding the product composition sufficiently to rupture the pressurerelease membrane and drive unreacted hydrogen peroxide through theopening in the container wall.
 2. A process for dispersing vaporoushydrogen peroxide and gaseous ammonia using a decontaminant dispensersuitable for use as a projectile, wherein the dispenser comprises acontainer suitable for containing propellant grade liquid hydrogenperoxide, the container comprising a container wall with at least oneopening in the container wall and a pressure release membrane positionedin the opening, the pressure release membrane being adapted to rupturewhen pressure within the container exceeds a predetermined value; and atleast one catalytic probe adapted to be inserted into the container incontact with the liquid hydrogen peroxide, the catalytic probe beingundersized so that when inserted into the container in contact with thehydrogen peroxide part of the hydrogen peroxide in the container reactsin an exothermic reaction to form a product composition, the productcomposition comprising water, oxygen, and unreacted hydrogen peroxide,the reaction being sufficient to generate an expansion of the productcomposition, the expansion being sufficient to rupture the pressurerelease membrane and drive the unreacted hydrogen peroxide through theat least one opening, wherein the container comprises an inner chamberand an outer chamber, the inner chamber being positioned within theouter chamber; the inner chamber being suitable for containingpropellant grade liquid hydrogen peroxide, the inner chamber comprisingan inner chamber wall with at least one inner opening in the innerchamber wall and an inner pressure release membrane positioned in theinner opening, the inner pressure release membrane being adapted torupture when the pressure within the inner chamber exceeds apredetermined value; the outer chamber being suitable for containinggaseous ammonia, the outer chamber comprising an outer chamber wall withat least one outer opening in the outer chamber wall and an outerpressure release membrane positioned in the outer opening, the outerpressure release membrane being adapted to rupture when the pressurewithin the outer chamber exceeds a predetermined value; and thecatalytic probe being adapted to be inserted through the outer chamberinto the inner chamber in contact with the liquid hydrogen peroxide, theprocess comprising: filling the inner chamber with propellant gradehydrogen peroxide; filling the outer chamber with gaseous ammonia; andinserting the catalytic probe through the outer chamber into the innerchamber in contact with the hydrogen peroxide to initiate an exothermicreaction resulting in the formation of a product composition comprisingwater, oxygen and unreacted hydrogen peroxide, the reaction expandingthe product composition sufficiently to rupture the inner pressurerelease member and the outer pressure release member and drive unreactedhydrogen peroxide through the inner opening in the inner chamber walland through the outer opening in the outer chamber wall and drive thegaseous ammonia through the outer opening in the outer chamber wall. 3.The process of claim 1 wherein from about 50 to about 75 percent byweight of the hydrogen peroxide is converted to water and oxygen in thecontainer.
 4. The process of claim 2 wherein the mole ratio of hydrogenperoxide in the inner chamber to gaseous ammonia in the outer chamber isin the range from about 1:1 to about 1:0.0001.
 5. The process of claim 1wherein the exothermic reaction in the container is sufficient to heatthe contents of the container to a temperature in the range from about120 to about 400° C.
 6. The process of claim 1 wherein the exothermicreaction in the container is sufficient to increase the pressure in thecontainer to a pressure in the range from about 2 to about 35atmospheres prior to rupturing the pressure release membrane.
 7. Theprocess of claim 1 wherein the dispenser is thrown by a person afterinserting the catalytic probe into the container.
 8. The process ofclaim 1 wherein the dispenser is launched as a projectile afterinserting the catalytic probe into the container.
 9. The process ofclaim 1 wherein the dispenser is dropped from an airplane afterinserting the catalytic probe into the container.
 10. The process ofclaim 1 wherein the dispenser is placed in an enclosure after insertingthe catalytic probe.
 11. The process of claim 1 wherein the dispenser isthrown, launched or dropped into a toxic cloud comprising a chemicaland/or biological warfare agent after inserting the catalytic probe intothe container.
 12. The process of claim 1 wherein the unreacted hydrogenperoxide driven through the opening in the container wall contactscontaminated objects to be decontaminated.
 13. The process of claim 12wherein the contaminated objects comprise one or more of militaryweapons, clothing, body armor, radio headsets, night vision goggles,computers, test equipment, optical devices, electronic devices and/orcommunications equipment.
 14. The process of claim 12 wherein thecontaminated objects are contaminated with one or more chemical,biological, radiological and/or nuclear warfare agents.
 15. The processof claim 12 wherein the contaminated objects are contaminated with oneor more bacterial spores, vegetative bacteria, viruses, molds and/orfungi.
 16. The process of claim 12 wherein the contaminated objects arecontaminated with one or more pathogenic chemical agents.
 17. Theprocess of claim 12 wherein the step of contacting the contaminatedobjects with the unreacted hydrogen peroxide comprises a dry processcharacterized by the absence of condensate formation on the surface ofthe contaminated objects being decontaminated.
 18. The process of claim12 wherein the step of contacting the contaminated objects with theunreacted hydrogen peroxide comprises a wet process characterized by theformation of condensate in the form of a liquid film on the surface ofthe contaminated objects being decontaminated.
 19. The process of claim18 wherein the condensate comprises hydrogen peroxide.
 20. The processof claim 1 wherein the decontaminant dispenser is ruggedized.